Duterte signs anti-sexual harassment law

The Philippine president has signed a bill into law penalising a range of acts of sexual harassment including catcalling, wolf-whistling and persistent telling of sexual jokes, which pro-women's groups have accused him of committing.

Philippine officials released on Monday a copy of Republic Act 11313, known as the Safe Spaces Act, which Duterte signed in April. The reason for the delay in its public release was not immediately clear.

The bill's main author, opposition senator Risa Hontiveros, calls the law a "massive victory" against a growing culture of rude sexist actions.

Other offenses include stalking, exposing "private parts, groping or any advances, whether verbal or physical, that is unwanted and has threatened one's sense of personal space and physical safety".

Restaurants, bars, cinemas and other places of recreation are required to install clearly visible warning signs against would-be violators, including a hotline number to allow rapid reporting of offences, and to designate an officer to receive complaints or apprehend perpetrators.

Punishments include fines and imprisonment depending on the gravity of the offense. Foreign violators would be deported after serving a jail term and paying fines.